Dalits urge California to delay nod for textbooks

‘There are diversions in texts from approved framework’

School children in California will learn the Indus Valley civilisation as ‘Indus Saraswati’ civilisation; the Aryan migration to the subcontinent may not have happened at all, because the Vedas “do not make any mention” of it; and that the varna system was “based on an individual’s natural abilities”, if the State Board of Education (SBE) clears textbooks submitted for its approval. The board will meet this week for the final decision on these textbooks designed by multiple private publishers, based on a curriculum framework that was approved in May 2016 after a prolonged tussle between Hindutva groups on the one side and Dalit and Sikh groups on the other. South Asian Histories for All Coalition (SAHFA), a group that represents Dalit, Sikh and Muslim views on the issue, has requested the SBE to delay its decision until diversions from the framework are rectified. “The text books are replete with errors and inaccuracies that contradict” the framework, SAHFA has written to SBE.

Alternative facts

“A universe of alternative facts is being created by a well-funded campaign that influenced the writing of the textbooks, significantly deviating them from the framework. There is plenty of scholarship on ancient history, caste oppression, etc, but a revisionist reading of history to justify oppression is being peddled in textbooks,” Thenmozhi Soundararajan, co-founder of SAHFA, told The Hindu by phone. “The politics of Hinduvta and white supremacy, of Modi and Trump are the same — invent alternative facts to erode scholarship, with the help of political and legislative power,” she said.

Intense tussle

The portrayal of caste power structure in textbooks has been a topic of intense tussle. The framework had said on Sikhism that it was founded by Guru Nanak, “a social reformer who challenged the authority of the Brahmins and the caste order”.

Text books have left out the reference to caste in the discussion on Sikhism. Though the framework does not mention Indus Saraswati civilisation, the Pearson textbook does. One textbook refers to Dalits as “people who did not follow the rules... kicked out of their caste.” Just as SAHFA was seeking redressal of these concerns-some publishers were receptive — National Geographic has announced further edits in its textbook on Monday, heightening these concerns. The publishers will delete the sentence, “many Hindus still observe certain cultural practices related to the caste system, such as marrying within one’s caste”, accepting the demand from an ‘advocacy group’. Mohandas Gandhi who was described as “a great leader” will now be a “great Hindu leader”. “A number of great Hindu leaders, including Mohandas Gandhi, have encouraged the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain principle of non-violence,” the new sentence says. The textbook repeatedly makes efforts to link Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions as being based on same principles.

Impact of demonetization, GST behind us, growth in coming quarters will be on upward trajectory, says the Finance Minister. Growth in coming quarters will be on upward trajectory with impact of demonetization and GST behind us, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on November 30 reacting to the GDP growth data. The Hindu: 30^th November 2017

Jainism has been added to make a new sentence: “And Gandhi took his non-violent principles from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.” It is historical fact that Gandhi was deeply influenced by Christianity too, and had a long-drawn debate with extremists who interpreted Gita as a call for violent insurrection. Accepting representations from ‘advocacy group’, National Geographic has also removed references to Brahmanism at several places. The sentence, “in time, Brahmanism’s rituals and hymns were recorded in sacred texts called the Vedas”, has been replaced with “in time, early Hinduism’s rituals, hymns, prayers, stories, poems, and philosophical and spiritual insights were recorded in sacred texts called the Vedas.” “She meditated for years in the Himalaya to attract his attention,” the text book’s original draft said, which will be changed to “she is considered a mother Goddess and nurturer,” about Parvati and Shiva. The Hindu, 8^th November 2017.

Ties with India unique and will spread to newer avenues: Russian envoy Russia’s relation with India is “privileged and strategic” and Moscow shares New Delhi’s counter-terrorism concerns, said the newly appointed envoy of Russia to India. Addressing the media for the first time since his appointment, ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said Russia supported India’s pursuit of global convention against terrorism. “We stand united on majority of issues [with India] including the [UN] comprehensive convention on counter-terrorism,” said Mr. Kudashev. On Russia’s stand on OBOR, he said, “Our position is very clear that OBOR is an economic venture. We favour China and India coming to an understanding for the preferred route on this [CPEC].” The Hindu: 7^th November 2017

Diplomatic engagements are expected in December with the visit of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi

China on Friday said the next round of border talks with India would take place in “due course”, but praised the apex Special Representatives (SR) mechanism for its role in addressing the boundary row. In response to a question, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that as of now, State Councilor Yang Jiechi will continue to function as Special Representative at the boundary talks. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is Mr. Yang’s counterpart in this dialogue.

Yang's elevation “I have not heard about any changes in the Special Representative on the Chinese side”, Ms. Hua said. Mr. Yang has been elevated from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to the 25-member Politburo, at last month’s 19^th party congress.

There has been speculation about Mr. Yang, a former foreign minister, taking on higher responsibilities in the diplomatic domain during President Xi Jinping’s second term in office. On Wednesday, Mr. Yang was in the limelight when he received visiting U.S President Donald Trump at the airport.

Analysts say that China’s new leadership, as well as senior bureaucrats, are assigned specific responsibilities only in March when the National People’s Congress-China’s parliament-holds its annual session.

Media reports say that the next round of boundary talks will be held in India next month. A new round of India-China diplomatic engagements following the Xiamen summit in September between Mr. Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to get rolling in December with the visit of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. Mr. Wang is expected to participate in the Russia-India-China (RIC) conclave, which India is hosting.

Ms. Hua said in its previous round, the SR mechanism had made “positive progress”. “Now this mechanism is operating very well. The two sides will decide the date and time for this year’s meeting in due course”, she observed.

Referring to the RIC meeting, Ms. Hua said, “We highly value this mechanism.” She stressed that China supported India in hosting this meeting. “According to my information, the three parties are in communication to this specific issue.”

Ms. Hua was non-committal about a possible meeting between Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Mr. Modi on the sidelines of the coming East Asia Summit in the Philippines. “So far I have no specific information to offer. Various parties can keep communication, if they would like to meet,” she said. The Hindu, 10^th November 2017